Recent Research in Canadian Tech Transfer

Kate Hoye, University of Waterloo

Diane Isabelle, NRC, Carleton University

Fred Pries, University of Waterloo

Under the Microscope:

S&T Commercialization of Federal Research Laboratories and University Research

Diane A. Isabelle

Doctoral comprehensive exam and research for NRC’s commercialization efforts

Research framework

• Major contributions/contributors to the field of commercialization

• North American and selected international commercialization models and practices

• Issues/challenges/avenues of solution identified by academics, practitioners and government

• Gaps, trends, and future areas of research

Innovation & commercialization: ‘From minds to markets’

• Broad agreement in the literature Both important for competitiveness of a nation Market place is the end point of commercialization Commercialization is recognized as an important element of innovation Metaphors: journey across valley/chasm/Darwinian sea

• Lack of consensus Commercialization as part of innovation or not Start point of commercialization in innovation spectrum Concept of marketplace success

• Key constructs Knowledge, knowledge spillovers Absorptive capacity Connectedness National innovation systems, National innovative capacity Process

Integrating key concepts: My definition of commercialization

‘An important part of the innovation ecosystem, commercialization is the process of translating research knowledge into new or improved products, process and services, and introducing them into the marketplace to generate economic benefits’

Importance of S&T commercialization:Canada’s R&D expenditures

Expenditures on R&D (B$) and % of GERD - 2003

$9.90, 54%$6.40, 35%

$2.10, 11%

BERD Industry

HERD Universities

GOVERD Government

Mapping of selected commercialization models

Bro

ad

Linear Organizational

Nar

row

/Structural Systemic

NIS

Triple Helix

Goldsmith

FOCUS

TYPE

TechnologyPush

Chain-linked

Selected commercialization strategies: New Technology Based Firms (NTBFs)

• NTBFs include spin-offs• 1-3% of all firms• Commercialization of disruptive technologies • Science entrepreneurships e.g. in biotech sector• Challenges faced by NTBFs

Selected commercialization strategy: Spatial concentration

• Explosion of interest in clusters• Various views in the literature• Consensus on top 5 critical factors:

Highly skilled workforce Pillar companies Knowledge/innovation technologies Networks Physical infrastructure

• Others factors: Entrepreneurial culture Sources of financing Supportive policy environment

Strategic commercialization issues

• Culture National, institutional cultures, industrial attitudes

• Technologies Awareness, state of development, access, evaluation

• Organizational issues Structure, processes, skills, incentives

• Intellectual Property Policies, negotiation, management, ownership

• Capital

• Government Environment

Convergence in the literature on the role of government

• Focused national strategy

• R&D Infrastructure (facilities, equipment, education, training)

• Environment for business and R&D

• Regulatory environment

• Financial incentives for R&D

• Linkages

• Bundling of technologies

Important areas of future research, particularly for Canada

• Commerce adverse culture

• Receptor capacity and NTBFs

• University-entrepreneurial interactions

• Clusters

• Policies & programs

Some Canadian researchers in the field

• Doug Barber• Alan Cornford, GPT Mngt Ltd• Paul Dufour, IC, IDRC• David Large, U of O• Jorge Niosi, U du Québec• David Wolfe, M Gertler, ISRN, U of T• Several others• PhD students...

GLOBAL TRENDS

• UK

• Finland

• The Netherlands

• Denmark

• Sweden

• Australia

Conclusion

• Relatively recent field of research• Broad underlying themes • Challenging issues but increased awareness• Climate of sharing globally

Feedback welcome!

diane.isabelle@nrc.gc.ca

Full study posted on FPTT website